Beth1965

So, Tuesday evening I lost one of my two Blood Parrots.
55 gallon
0 amonia
pH 6.4
nitrite 0
nitrate 20
nothing new added to tank in more than one week (10 days earlier, 2 platies). I have smaller fish (tetras) and 2 DGs in the tank, plants, dw andsome quartz rock and slate.
I did a water change 2 weeks earlier. water perameters have not changed since the tank cycled (march/april)--nitrates get a little high once in a while but not recently. And by high i mean between 20-40 never above 40.
The ONLY thing that was different that evening was that I fed the parrots medium size pellets (Hikari cichlid gold) instead of the always small pellets. I hadn't noticed they were medium size until I had them in my hand and decided it didn't matter, Wasn't even a decision, I noticed and tossed.
The parrot died within hours after. COuld have died minutes after, I didn't happen to stick around to stare at them that evening. I saw him in the corner dead a couple hours later.
Is is possible the larger size pellets killed him?

iloveengl

OH Beth, I'm so sorry

I don't know much about these fishies, but maybe Ken or someone else with bp experience will be along soon. *hug* That's awful to hear.

Beth1965

i wish i had a pic of the smaller pellets to compare the size to the medium size for you. there is a MARKED difference.
I meant to mention in my first post that yesterday I even bought a whole new test kit to double check the water perameters.

Lucy

I'm so sorry Beth.

aquarist48

Hello Beth. So sorry to hear you lost one of your Bloody Parrots (BP). I feed mine pellets of all different sizes as my fish are all different sizes. I've never had a problem with them getting food stuck in their mouths. Some have even been moving my river rock via their mouths and I've been afraid they were going to get stuck. It seems they know what they are doing though. (Daddy worries!) lol
There always is that possibility that it could have choked. I know you're a great fish mom and your readings are great. Just hard to say. I check my pellets before I feed them to my fish because every now and then I find something that doesn't look like food and hard as a brick it seems. Too there is that occasional HUGE piece that has to be cut.

Again I'm so sorry for your loss Beth. I wish I could tell you more.
Ken

Beth1965

Well, thanks you guys. It was really hard taking him out of the tank.

aquarist48

Good morning Beth. It's hard to believe how easily we get attached to these wonderful creatures. How are the rest of your fish doing today Beth? I thought about you and your fish last night and still didn't come up with anything. With hybrids you just never know.
Just wanted to check on you
Ken

Beth1965

Ken, thanks for checking and thinking of our lost boy. He was the more aggressive one, I say aggressive because he was the one who followed more than the other one, the dogs and played with them-bouncing back and forth through the tank for a show that the dogs loved.
I don't think I want to leave the other one that's still alive lonely though. I can't see another one with the same personality though either. OH, who knows.
The other fish seem be alright, swimming in their normal spaces. Colors look good.

aquarist48

Morning Beth. I'm glad to hear the other fish are doing well. I hope you decide to get him/her a buddy. You know by now the difference in seeing them alone and seeing them with a friend.
Take care and have a great weekend. Keep us posted. (I bet the dogs love them)
Ken

Beth1965

Yes, I will have to get him a partner in crime, my hesitation is from wondering what kind of personality I will get from him. I already see the diff in personality from the one who remains. I have yet to name him... i am going to name him today, had him from the start and haven't name him--how shameful. They looked so similar.

Do you think a young BR would create an issue with the current older BR?

aquarist48

Beth from my experience a young one and an elder will do just fine. When I added my two juvies to the 9 elders it was like they had known each other all of their lives. There was no chasing around or anything out of the ordinary.
Ken

Beth1965

This is good, I think this is what I would like to do.
Thank you.

LyndaB

I'm very sorry for your loss.

aquarist48

Hello LyndaB.
This thread is a bit old. Try to remember to check the dates of the original post before responding.
Thanks!
Ken